Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Joseph Wall followed the prosecution's recommended sentence in court Wednesday afternoon. Black's sentence includes seven years of extended supervision. The defense did not oppose the recommendation.

Riggins was found with eight shots in the neck, chest, abdomen and arm in a backyard near the house he lived in. Police found seven .45-caliber shell casings near his body.

Black told police he went bowling with Riggins the night before. Black said Riggins borrowed his car to buy cigarettes, and when Black later stopped at a gas station, he found the money missing from his center console. In a phone call with Black, Riggins denied taking the money.

Cellphone records showed Black was at the shooting scene at the time neighbors heard gunshots. Black said he was drunk and had no explanation for this evidence.

Black also told police he was wearing the shooter's distinctive clothing seen in surveillance video.

Although Black maintains his innocence, Wall said he is convinced Black is the person who killed Riggins.

"It was essentially a hunting down and killing of another human being," Wall said, referring to Riggins' attempt to run away when confronted by Black.

Court records show that Black has had four separate defense attorneys in his case. His current attorney, Patrick Flanagan, filed a motion to withdraw as counsel after he said Black became angry when asked to prepare for sentencing before today’s hearing. Flanagan said Black wants to file post-conviction motions and appeal his case.

Riggins' family members asked Wall for the maximum sentence of 40 years.

"I've had to watch Robert Black have no remorse for murdering my husband Ricky," said Riggins' wife, Ivette Santiago.

Leane Riggins, Riggins' mother, said her son was a "friendly person" and it would've taken "something worse" than $80 for homicide to ensue. She said she believes Black was jealous of her son over a woman. The mother also expressed sorrow for Black's mother, whose life has been altered as well.

"I was young when I had Ricky. We grew up together," Leane said. "He meant so much to me — he still does."

Wednesday's sentencing hearing was Riggins' birthday. He would've been 46.

Riggins had two children, Leane said, as well as two young grandchildren he never got to meet.

Black spoke to Riggins' family in court, repeating that he did not commit the crime.

"I'm OK with accepting how you guys feel," Black said to the family. "And I'm here to endure it."

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Black did not provide a motive for the homicide. Jeszika Gould, one of Riggins' cousins, said she doesn't believe Black would ever provide the truth.

Wall said people in the community must know that serious consequences exist for using violence to end disputes.

"That sort of breaking point in your temper ... is going to come with very, very severe consequences," Wall said.

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